Septimus

ve, decorous place where the gay pop of a champagne cork had been known to produce a scandalized silence in the luncheon-room, and where serious-minded members congregated to scowl at one

s he had found no easy matter, diplomacy being the art of speaking the truth with intent to deceive, and so finely separated from sheer

ondon. So am I. Don't wo

thes and railway carriage

in dress clothes-and in such disreputably disheveled dress clothes! Such dissolute mohocks were a stumbling-block and an offense, and the gaunt member, who had prided himself on going by clockwork all his life, felt his machinery in some way dislocated by the spectacle. But Septimus ate his food un

white, a hunted look in her baby eyes. A great pang of pity went through the man, hurting him physically. She gave him a limp hand,

had anythi

nod

you

er do again," she said quer

you'll get ill and

e better,"

lp you. I do wish

a man do in any case? And, as for you, my poor S

done another man, for he knew his incapacity. He had also

wick could be of any use?

To no other mind but Septimus's co

at's to

know,"

s the weak, or drives them mad, and often brings them, fragile wisps of human semblance, into the criminal dock. Shame, disgrace, social pariahdom; unutterable pain to dear ones; an ever-gaping wound in fierce family pride; a stain on two generations; an incurable

ignorance of the ways of what is, after all, an i

it means?" he s

't, should

s committing; a rudiment of common sense also told him that Zora was Emmy's natural helper and protector. But Emmy had the obstinacy of a weak

you do, you would want to save

inced. But once more

bit of use now. If you had been a different sort of man-like anyone else-one who could have helped me-I shouldn't have told

p blouse and skirt, an inmate of the caravanserai, put her head through the door and, w

ed God sent me to you. I believe so

Septimus looked at her with mournful eyes, hating his futility. Of what use was he to any God-created being? Another man, strong and capable, any vital, deep-chested fellow that was passing along Southampton Row at that moment, would have known how to take her cares on his broad shoulders and ordain, with kind imperiousness, a course of action. But he-he could only clu

tting invention burst upon him with bewildering clearness; but this time more radiant, more intense than he had ever

edes could not have uttered his f

I hav

piration. At his cry she raised a tear

have

ple, so easy. Why shouldn't

d," sa

ly-to get

rri

on the sofa, the femini

me-oh, just the form, you know-and we both disappear abroad somewhere for a year-I in one pla

" asked Em

nger. You couldn't stand me. I don't think any woma

s across her eyes. S

me-and shield me-just like

rt," he remarked absently. "I've al

a girl who has disgraced herself,

e every day,"

poor innocent!" and

-quite soon. I've read of it in books. Perhaps the Hall Porter can tell me where to get one. Hall Porters know everything. The

nt out cheerily, stared for a moment at the Hall Porter, vaguely associating him with the matter in hand, but forgetting exactly why, and strode into the street, feeling greatly uplifted. The broad-shouldered men who jostled him as he pursued his absent-minded and therefore devious course no longer appeared potential champions to be greatly envied. He felt that he was one of them, and ble

to bring her his daily tale of worship, to glean a look of kindness from her clear eyes. This was his happiness. For her sake he would sacrifice it. For Zora's sake he would marry Emmy. The heart of Septimus was that of a Knight-Errant confident in the righteousness of his quest. The certainty had come all at once in th

ntimentally, morally, pharisaically, or cynically, according to their various attitudes towards life, the relations between Emmy and Mordaunt Prince which had l

n churches. Sometimes by special license. That was it! A special license. He had come out to get one. But where were they to be obtained? In a properly civilized country, doubtless they would be sold in shops, like boots and hair-brushes, or even in post-offices, like dog licenses. But Septimus, aware

go anywhe

t to go where I can get a sp

t you

rriage has been out of my line. But perhaps you

dly, but officially. "Take my advice, sir; don't thi

and walked back down Holborn somewhat dejected. Somewhere in London the air was thick with special licenses, but who would direct his steps to the desired spot? On passing Gray's Inn one of his brilliant ideas occurred to him. The Inn suggested

solicitors livi

They're mostly architects

indly direc

liginous vapor which Londoners call the sky. The lights behind the blindless windows illuminated interiors and showed men bending over desks and drawing-

the divers methods whereby British subjects could get married all over the world, including the High Seas on board one of His Majesty's ships of the Mercantile Marine. Solicitors are generally b

re the registrar-one by certificate and one by license. By license you can get married after the expiration of one whole day next after the day of the entry of the notice of marria

rkable suggestion, and he ad

ly a good and proper

lve it. Septimus agreed that in these circumstances it must be a capital marriage. Then the solicitor offered to see the whole matter through and get him